I've had my e-cig for almost a year. Still smoking 20-25 'analog' cigarettes daily & need a plan.

[JackTKD]

I need a daily plan. Something with mini-goals, that I can keep track of..are there any recommendations?

Should I first replace my more purposeful morning, after mealtime, before bedtime smokes with my e-cig?
Or should I first replace my more thoughtless smokes 'on the computer', first getting into the car, waiting for a train?

Should I try to replace 20% each day/week? 50%?

Sick of sitting on this fence! Overhealmed wihen visiting these forums.
I would like to be completely done with analogs in 1 or 2 weeks. Any suggestions?



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[WomanOfHeart]

What kind of e-cig do you have and what nic level are you currently using?

 

[uba egar320]

Something that helped me out a little is this. Start smoking 100's if you are not. Reason being, an ecig fits better in this type of cig pack. Try incorporating the ecig into your daily routine. Don't try and give up those "important cigs" yet(morning, after a meal, etc). Maybe try taking a vape when you are not really needing a cig, but find yourself looking for something to do(keep those hands busy).

 

[Phreaker]

Have you tried replacing all of them with your e-cig? I still have a 1/2 a pack of tobacco cigarettes, the same 1/2 I had when I got my e-cig. I just started using it each and every time I wanted a cigarette (the nic-craving ones as well as the I-just-want-ones as well).

Is your e-cig not satisfying your craving for a tobacco cigarette?

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

While there are supposedly other addictive compounds in cigarettes that you may be struggling with... I agree with what most people are thinking, your nicotine needs must not be getting met if you still need cigarettes. I would try a stronger nic level, maybe try a different method like dripping if you aren't satisfied with your vapor and flavor levels, etc.

You don't need any fancy plans. Step 1, kick the cigs to the curb. You can do it. Something about your ecig usage just needs some tweaking.

 

[markfm]

Over PAD? Are you actually using your ecig, or did you just put it aside?

If it's functioning, perhaps higher mg/ml nic strength? For instance I was a full PAD smoker, 16 - 18 didn't do much, I needed 24 mg/ml strength and a fair number of people need 30 or 36 mg/ml if they smoked a lot, full strength.

What kind of ecig are you using? I quickly got a KR808D-1 -- true 3.7V output meant I got a decently warm vapor, good throat hit. In the 510 family of ecigs this is equivalent to using 2.0 ohm atomizers or cartomizers.

Just hate whatever flavor(s) you've tried?

Too much maintenance hassle? If you've only used atties, perhaps try cartomizers -- modern ones hold 1ml or more of liquid, so they don't need to be refilled often.

When I got my 808, and the right strength liquid, I let myself chain vape the stuff and just made it a bit more of a pain to smoke, in my case had the last pack of cigs in the car so I had to leave the office or house to grab a ..... By day seven I basically was all set to stop, pretty much forced myself to smoke the last 3 cigs in the pack (I'm cheap, refused to toss them ).

The trigger points -- first one in the day, just after a meal, whatever -- are ones where you want to seriously think of having a bump in nicotine level in your juice. For example, if 24 mg/ml is okay 90% of the time, keep one cart/carto loaded with 30 or 36 strength for those really want to smoke times.

Some people, not a tiny number, found they need to use something called Snus, a type of smokeless tobacco, there are some chemicals that they get from it that you don't get when vaping. There's a separate smokeless tobacco forum area if that applies to you.

Lots of possible things can help, it depends on what's driving you to smoke.

 

[ShannonS]

I started doing small things like locking my analogs in my car. I would let myself have one, if I was willing to go downstairs, walk a block to the parking garage and then climb four flights upstairs to get to them.

Have you thought about not smoking inside your home and in your car? If you only vape inside and only have your analogs outside, that would be a start in changing behavior.

A timer approach works for some people. Start with an analog every two hours, in two days increase it to three hours, with vaping in between. Increase the time between analogs every 24-48 hours until you hit 12 hours between analogs, then toss them.

If neither of these ideas appeal to you, look for others on google, listen to ideas here. Good luck.

 

[Phil McRotch]

How often do you vape in comparison to lighting up? If I remember correctly, there was someone with a similar problem, but they were still on their initial charge for a month. That's how little they were using their pv.

I can't speak for everyone, since everyone has their own timeline for completely kicking analogs, but as soon as I started vaping, I naturally didn't want an analog anymore. I generally replaced any habits I associated with analogs, for vaping; i.e. morning wake-up, after meals, waiting, driving, boredom, etc. It may feel like you're vaping much more than you smoke, but in my opinion, it's better than inhaling the other 3999+ chemical carcinogens from cancer sticks.

As a suggestion, you could gradually cut the smokes down by a few sticks a day and replace them with vaping until you've satiated your nic fix for that moment. Though, I'm sure more of the veterans have better suggestions. Good luck and don't give up.

 

[JackTKD]

Wow! You guys are great support! I never expected to see so many meaningful replies within 15 minutes of my original post.

I'll try to answer as many questions as i can in 1 post. Pls give me a minute to put it together.

 

[ShannonS]

Wow! You guys are great support! I never expected to see so many meaningful replies within 15 minutes of my original post.

I'll try to answer as many questions as i can in 1 post. Pls give me a minute to put it together.

Take your time someone will be here to help when you get it posted.

 

[Maxine]

The 15 minute rule worked for me. Every time I wanted an analog, I had to commit to spending 15 minutes vaping first. If the craving still wasn't tolerable after that, I'd have my cigarette. Tolerable. The craving was never gone but I could manage. I also got rid of the tobacco flavored liquid - it never fooled me for a second and made things worse for me wanting the real thing. And commit to at least one fewer cigarette tomorrow than you smoked today. It's hard. Best of luck and more power to you.

 

[banjo]

I appreciate the struggle you seem to be going through, but I don't really understand it. I was a heavy smoker (2 PAD) for over 55 years, and I quit the day my Joye 510 kit arrived, and I haven't had an analog in well over 6 months. I had a few cravings initially, but they went away after about 3 or 4 months, and I don't even think about analogs now. So, all I can really do is wish you luck, and hope that you make it.

 

[mlinky]

I have to think that you may need to change your PV and/or juice. If it is not hitting "the spot" there should be something out there that will. Fortunately, lots of improvements in the past year.

 

[JackTKD]

My analogs are non-menthol either Malibu longs or Capri 120s.

I have a Janty kissbox - Long pen style, medium & high filter carts, in plain & mint flavor.

I like the flavors well enough. Mint reminds me of the menthols that I loved. When I have both in front of me, and my lungs dont hurt, i choose the analog (deep breath in & out). I'll add some deep breathing before & after my PV.

I've seen Snus in the store..but want to say away from it if at all possible.

I am always successful with a plan...otherwise spontaneity & hyper-focus take over my time.

Honestly, I'm headed over to the store to purchase & deliver 3 cartons to my mom. I have 19 cigs left & planned on buying myself a carton as well. You've given me courage to not buy that carton.

So, now I just need to decide to :
Option 1: Cut down only (non-important, then important)...
I like the 'lock them up' & quit smoking in the car. Already only smoke outside at home.

Option 2: Vape constantly for ?a few days? ?a week? how long is too long here?

 

[dormouse]

First make sure you have an e-cigarette and juice that can satisfy and comfort you. Finding the right juice is tricky. I find Turkish blends with a decent amount of flavor work for me.

Then these are the other things I do to make vaping easier...

1. The only cigarettes I have around for emergencies are ones I dislike

2. I found it stressful to disassemble my PV for charging overnight. So I bought another battery and I leave my charged PV in a handy spot so even if I get up in the middle of the night it's right there. And it's right there when I get up in the morning. Some people use a stronger ejuice, or a smoother one or one with coffee in it for their first vapes of the day.

3. I actually bought a crapload of batteries and charging cables and PT's for home and work and PCC. And 4-port 2amp USB chargers for home and work. I always have a charged battery as well as little bottles of juice in my pocket (as well as the little paper clip and cart plug I need for refilling M401 carts).

How about setting up a PT near your computer and vape instead. Don't plug it into your PC's USB though. PT's usually need 1 amp. A 4-port 2amp USB charger should be able to charge 2 normal slim e-cigarette batteries and run a PT at the same time.
Newegg.com - Rosewill 2 Amp 4 Port USB Wall Charger RUC-6180 for iPhone/iPod/iPad/MP3
(they also sell one with international adapters)

 

[john doe]

Another method is to, not just take a bunch of puffs when you want a cig but, take 2-5 puffs of the e-cig every 5-15 minutes. This helps keep a certain level in your body rather than the sudden influx followed by a, relatively quick, slide in levels.

 

[markfm]

I did a quick check, and see "Janty Classic Kissbox cartridges in High/16mg strength"
That's a pretty low nic level, I wouldn't be slightly surprised at not stopping smoking. I was like that with my original kit, cartridges were 16 mg and I could see potential but no way did they provide enough nicotine for me to switch over.

I'd definitely get some decent juice in 24 mg strength, maybe a bit in 36 but at least the 24 mg/ml, as a good starting point, refill some of the cartridges that you already have with the higher strength juice.
freedomsmokeusa is out in the southwest, try some of their tobacco and menthol flavors.

If you're happy with the janty kissbox run time between charges, fine, otherwise you could give yourself a quitting smoking gift, try something like one of the liberty flights $30 Riva 510 kits -- the two 750 mAh batteries in those kits give a lot of run time, and the fast charger only takes a couple hours to top off a battery.

Good luck!

 

[Tiari]

A couple things that might help:

If you do buy cigarettes, buy opposite of what you like. Meaning if you are a menthol smoker, buy regulars, a regular smoker, buy menthols (especially if you hate them). These are all you can have, and make it a rule.

Have a finite # of cigarettes, and thats that. Tell yourself you are allowed to smoke them, but once they are gone, they're gone. My husband did this, and it worked fabulous...... eventually he just didn't want what he had left.

Chain vape. Thats right, just keep vaping. Do take breaks, but its perfectly okay at first (and some of us still do it lol), to use it like an adult pacifier. The main goal is to quit the stinkies, and its hard to put a cig in your mouth when your vaping constantly!

Invest in one zero nicotine level juice with a flavor you thoroughly enjoy....... something decadent and tasty. Your main quit vape should have a high nic, but if you are chain vaping, and get the nicotine jitters or headache, you don't want to have to fall back to analogs! This to me is the most important step, as if your main or only juice is full of nic and your getting too much, you have to make sure you have something to fall back on.

This is NOT a race. Its your life, and health, and you need to take it on in the best manner possible. If that means still smoking a little bit now and then, so be it. The goal is still there, don't treat a few slip ups like complete failure and start up analogs again.

Get support! Before jumping into a pack of analogs, come online here, or find friends who support you and vent to them your jones. They may just have enough advice to talk you out of it!

 

[lynleestar]

I need to follow this thread because I'm in sorta the same boat.

 

[mlinky]

I can say that 16mg is probably not nearly the nicotine strength you need. I was a pack a day smoker, got 18mg juice, but couldn't kick it until I moved up to 24mg. I even have an emergency supply of 30mg on hand, just in case.

Also, WHY do you pick up a cigarette instead of the PV? Is it more convenient? Is the PV lacking in throat hit?